By Laura Michell
Manor Lakes residents have finally got their wish.
Despite bungling its announcement last Thursday, the state government has confirmed Manor Lakes will become a suburb, a registered locality in the city of Wyndham.
Spokesman Kosta Pandos said the announcement meant Manor Lakes would no longer be part of Wyndham Vale.
But less than 24 hours later, Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s spokeswoman, Rebecca Thistleton, dashed residents’ hopes, telling
Star Weekly that the area’s recognition as a locality did not make it a suburb.
She said that Manor Lakes would remain part of Wyndham Vale.
Residents who had pushed the corks back in their champagne popped them again when Environment, Land, Water and Planning Department spokesman Ewan Cook reconfirmed that Manor Lakes would be a suburb after all.
“Manor Lakes will be a bounded locality, which is the same as a suburb, and residents will no longer be part of Wyndham Vale but will remain part of the city of Wyndham,” Mr Cook said.
The mishandled announcement caused great confusion, with residents unsure which suburb to call home.
Manor Lakes Residents Association secretary Delphi Anderson said she was frustrated by the mixed messages. But she’s glad that residents have finally had their wish granted.
“This is absolutely brilliant for our community. Many, many people have been working very hard to secure this,” she said. “This is something we have always believed in.”
The announcement comes after three years of campaigning by the Manor Lakes Residents Association. Last year, the group presented petitions signed by more than 1000 people to the council and State Parliament, urging Manor Lakes to be recognised.
The council referred the request to the Office of Geographic Names, but it was denied last October with the office ruling that the request was not in keeping with naming guidelines.
Manor Lakes resident Lesley Watson said last week’s decision would give residents a sense of belonging. The area is home to about 5500 people.
“We don’t have a connection with Werribee or Wyndham Vale. We believe we live in Manor Lakes. It is our home,” Ms Watson said.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas said the community’s wishes had been fulfilled.
Manor Lakes’ boundaries will now be determined in consultation with the community and the council.
Council chief executive Kerry Thompson said there could be practical issues around the boundaries, which needed to be worked through.
